Abstract
The sense of the physiological condition of the entire organism (i.e. interoception) represents a fundamental perception that serves a correct and balanced functioning of the human body. Interoceptive information constitutes a core element in a variety of psycho-physiological systems and processes; therefore the possibility to consistently stimulate the interoceptive system with specifically targeted inputs has a fundamental value both in assessing and clinical settings. The article illustrates a new technological portable device able to delivered precise interoceptive parasympathetic stimuli to C-T afferents connected to the lamina I spinothalamocortical system. Interoceptive stimuli can be programmed in a variety of parameters, ranging from continuous stimulation to modulation of frequency and variance. Implications and possible applications are discussed in both assessing protocols and clinical treatments as well.
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Conceptualization, D.D.L.; Writing – Original Draft, D.D.L; Writing – Review & Editing, G.R., and P.C.; Hardware and software development: D.D.L.; Supervision G.R., and P.C.
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© 2018 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
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Di Lernia, D., Riva, G., Cipresso, P. (2018). iStim. A New Portable Device for Interoceptive Stimulation. In: Cipresso, P., Serino, S., Ostrovsky, Y., Baker, J. (eds) Pervasive Computing Paradigms for Mental Health. MindCare 2018. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 253. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01093-5_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01093-5_6
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